Readers Write Back

Bad influence

I write to you regarding “The Empire Strikes Back.” It’s very worrying that presently nationalistic neoconservatives seem bent on revising Article 9 of the Constitution. Freedom of speech is being degraded and gradually civil liberties and our rights as human beings sidelined. Being detained without charge for a prolonged period is a breach of human rights.

I hope that the Japan Times keeps reporting this without fear and represents the people of Japan that are struggling to find a voice. — Dan, Japan

Too dangerous

I refer to your Sept. 6 story “The Empire Strikes Back.” What does it say about today’s Japan when pacifists, some 90 years-old no less, are intimidated, beaten up and imprisoned while fascist militarists are protected and free to promote war, hatred and the evil of nationalism? All with the aid of the police force and their puppet masters in power? The police must feel strong and proud from beating up unarmed, defenseless elderly pacifists.

Nobody should delude themselves into thinking that Japan is a democratic society. Japan may be the second largest economy in the world with elected politicians, producing some of the world’s most advanced technology, but the insidious manipulation of truth and its people and the application of justice are straight out of some third world country controlled by a dictatorship such as China, Argentina 30 years ago or communist Russia before its collapse. — HT, Japan

Worrying trend

Thank you for publishing David McNeill’s article, “The Empire Strikes Back,” on Sept. 6. Please keep the public informed about the worrying trend towards fascism in Japan, because that is the best protection for peaceful protesters trying to defend our freedoms. — Philip, Tokyo

Get real

In “Write back” (Aug. 23), Takagi wrote ‘What America did by dropping bombs on Japan is quite tantamount to what Hitler did for Jews.’ Are you serious?

To compare America’s actions in the war to anything Hitler did is beneath contempt. I don’t know whether to laugh or be afraid. — Michele, N.Y.

Stop the blame game

As an American, veteran now dependent, I too am ashamed by the killing of innocent children the elderly during the war. However, why will Japan not acknowledge its part in the dishonest attack on American that was the catalyst to the retaliatory strike against Japan?

I am tired of all the world blaming the U.S. for what it does in response to atrocities against us. At least we are up front about it and follow through with what we feel is right.

The Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs killed many, people, but they would not have been lost had Japan not attacked us in a cowardly manner to begin with. — S